A Thailand journey to experience as a family

BANGKOK
Arrival in Bangkok in the morning, transfer and check-in at your hotel.
After a short ride on the metro you’ll reach a vantage point over Bangkok, its streets, its traffic, down to the Taksin Bridge. Board a boat to explore the canals (khlongs) of Thonburi, with a visit to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn).
A stay in Bangkok calls for a visit to its wonderful flower market “Pak Klong Talat”, followed by Wat Pho, famous for its reclining Buddha right by the river, then the Grand Palace and the magnificent Temple of the Emerald Buddha. For children and adults alike, visit Ocean World in the Siam Square district (the area most popular with locals). This giant aquarium lets you get strikingly close to the fish through a glass tunnel; around 4pm you’ll witness the sharks being fed amid the constant movement of the fish — a fascinating moment for young and old. You’ll come out wide-eyed.
If you’d rather not head back yet, feel free to explore Siam Square at leisure, a lively district popular with young people, full of shops, cinemas and malls — also a good way to get a closer look at Thai life.
Meals not included.

ELEPHANT’S WORLD
Departure towards Kanchanaburi, continuing north of Kanchanaburi to the “Elephant’s World” camp. This day will take you into a completely different world, where you won’t be a “passive tourist”. Unlike most elephant camps, there are no shows or elephant rides here. It is instead a retirement home for elderly and sick elephants. During the day, alongside an introduction to elephants, you’ll prepare their food from sticky rice and fruit, and depending on the season, cut sugar cane, banana stalks and more. You’ll feed the elephants, help the mahouts with cleaning, and bathe with the elephants in the nearby Kwai Yai River, with brushes provided. You’ll also help replant crops grown to feed the animals. Lunch is served at the camp at midday. In the late afternoon, drive to the pier and transfer by boat to your hotel, set on the riverbank amid greenery.
Dinner not included.

KANCHANABURI
Return to the pier and drive to Kanchanaburi to visit the Allied War Cemetery and the famous Bridge on the River Kwai. Depart towards U Thong; near this town, in the Don Kamayan area, you can see traditional cotton weaving. Continue to Ang Thong province, close to Ayutthaya, and visit Ekkarat village in the Pa Mok area, known for its drum making.
Meals not included.

AYUTTHAYA
Your visit will partly be made aboard a “kermit” tuk tuk (two facing bench seats), unique to Ayutthaya. You’ll take a stroll through the local market, then visit the main sites of the former capital: Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the symbol of Ayutthaya within the old royal palace grounds, Wat Mongkhon Bophit, Wat Yai Chai Mongkol with its reclining Buddha, and the majestic Wat Chaiwatthanaram on the riverbank. Drive on to Uthai Thani through the central plains. Visit the extraordinary Thasung Temple and its “crystal hall” (open until 4pm), then board a boat for a short cruise up the beautiful Sakaekrang River, passing numerous floating houses and their gardens.
Check-in at your hotel, located outside town on a lake.
Meals not included.

UTHAI THANI
Drive on to Uthai Thani through the central plains. Visit the extraordinary Thasung Temple and its “crystal hall” (open until 4pm), then board a boat for a short cruise up the beautiful Sakaekrang River, passing numerous floating houses and their gardens.
Check-in at your hotel, located outside town on a lake.
Meals not included.

SUKHOTHAI
North of Uthai Thani, visit the hidden valley of Hub Patthart: access to this “mini Garden of Eden” planted with palm trees is through a cave. Continue to Sukhothai, stopping en route at a village and visiting a school (depending on the day of the week). In the afternoon, visit Sukhothai, the first capital of Siam, founded in the 13th century, and its historical park listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Wat Mahathat, Wat Sa Si, Wat Si Sawai, Wat Si Chum with its 15-metre-tall “talking Buddha”. You can take the little train that runs through the park for the visit.
Meals not included.

LAMPANG
Departure for Lampang. South of Lampang, visit a village where mulberry paper is still made by traditional methods. Continue to Lampang to your hotel, set in the countryside about 20 minutes from town, within a large garden on a riverbank. In the afternoon, leave the resort by bicycle across the countryside to a small village (a minivan is available for those who don’t want to cycle, or if weather doesn’t allow it). You’ll walk through the village and visit one of its pottery workshops, where you can paint a piece to your liking and take it home.
Before leaving town, take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the old town, its narrow streets, its atmosphere and its beautiful old wooden houses on the riverbank, with a visit to one of them: Baan Sao Nak.
Meals not included.

CHIANG MAI
Continue to Chiang Mai, arriving around midday. In the afternoon, tour the old town. Visit Wat Phra Singh and its viharn with magnificent mural paintings, then take a cyclo ride through the old town, stopping at the large Varorot central market with its flower section by the river.
North of Chiang Mai, at the Mae Taman or Mae Ping camp, you’ll watch elephant training and a show. Take an elephant ride through the surrounding forest and along the river for about 1 hour. Return to the elephant camp by ox cart.
Lunch on site.
After lunch, descend the river on a bamboo raft (45 minutes). Visit an orchid farm before returning to Chiang Mai in the late afternoon.
Dinner not included.
In the morning, visit the highly revered Doi Suthep temple at 1,056 metres. Access is via a grand staircase flanked by naga-shaped (mythological serpent) railings; from the temple terrace, the view takes in the whole valley. Continue with a visit to Chiang Mai Zoo, including the enclosure of its most famous residents, the pandas. You’ll have free time to wander the city at your own pace.
Meals not included on the last day.

In summary:
– 2 nights in Bangkok at a 4**** hotel
– 1 night in Kanchanaburi at a charming 4**** hotel
– 1 night in Ayutthaya at a 3*** boutique hotel
– 1 night in Uthai at a charming 3*** hotel
– 1 night in Sukhothai at a 4**** hotel
– 1 night in Lampang at a charming 3*** hotel
– 3 nights in Chiang Mai at a 4**** hotel